Operating mechanism for the intake valves of expander engines



Nov. 7, 1950 H. w. WHlTlNG 2,528,627

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR THE INTAKE VALVES OF EXPANDER ENGINES Filed Nov. 5, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 1- A! 14 W/V/ 7' //V& IN VEN TOR.

Nov. 7, 1950 H. w. WHITING 2,528,527

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR THE INTAKE VALVES 0F EXPANDER ENGINES I 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NQV. 5, 1945 4 INVENTOR. j BY mam,

Nov. 7, 1950 Y H. w. WHITING 2,528,627

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR THE INTAKE VALVES OF EXPANDER ENGINES 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 5, 1945 H 14 WH/77/V5 IN VEN TOR.

Nov. 7, 1950 H w WHITING 2,528,627

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR THE INTAKE VALVES 0F EXPANDER ENGINES Filed Nov. 5, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Nov. 7, 1950 H. w. WHITING 2 OPERATING MECHANISM FOR THE INTAKE I VALVES 0F EXPANDER ENGINES Filed Nov. 5, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 hf m W/f/T/N INVEN TOR.

Nov. 7, 1950 H. w. WHlTlNG 2,528,627

OPERATING MECHANISM FOR THE INTAKE VALVES 0F EXPANDER ENGINES 6 SheetsSheet 6 Filed Nov. 5, 1945 m. .6 WW 74 INVEN TOR.

Patented Nov. 7, 1950 OPERATING MECHANISM FOR THE INTAKE VALVES OF EXPANDER ENGINES Harold W. Whiting, Buffalo, N. Y., assignor to Worthington Pump and Machinery Corporation, Harrison, N. J sot corporation of Delaware Application November 5, 1945,Serial No. 626,741

This invention relates to engines, and more particularly to means for controlling the speed of the engine.

An object of the present invention is to provide an engine wherein novel means are incorporated for controlling the operation of the intake valve to control the speed of the engine. 1

A further object is to provide an engine of the expander type, wherein the speed of the engine is controlled through adjustment of the cutoff position of the intake valve, and in which a novel valve gear is incorporated for actuating the intake valve and'adju'sting the same to predetermined cutoff positions.

With these and other objects in view, as may appear from the accompanying specification, the invention consists of various features of construction and combination of parts, which will be first described in connection with the accompanying drawings, showing an engine of a preferred form embodying the invention, and the features forming the invention will be specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure-1 is a sectional view of the crank case and lower part of the engine structure showing the present invention incorporated therein;

Figure 2 is a similar view of the upper part of the engine structure, the structure shown therein comprising a continuation of the structure shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an elevational view of the structure shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional detailed view of a'p'ortion of the structure of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the action of cam means employed for controlling the operation of the intake valve of the engine;

Figure 6 is a side 'view of the cam means assembly; a

Figure '7 is a'diagrammatic view of the cam means assembly illustrating another operating adjustment thereof;

Figure 8 is aside elevational view of the cam means assembly when adjusted according to Figure '7; and

Figure 9 is an elevational view of a shaft extension comprising an element of the cam means pander engine comprising a base H) which supports a crank case ll. Upon the crank case II is mounted 'a cross-head guide structure l2, the

12 Claims. (01. 121-467) ed upon the structure I 2.

A cylinder bore I4 is provided in the structure l3, and a piston I is slidably contained in the bore I4 and is fixedly connected with a piston rod I6, the latter passing through packing glands I1 and I8 for connection with a crosshead I9. One end of a connecting rod is pivotally connected with the crosshead 19 in any suitable manner, as by a pin 2i. The other end of the connecting rod 20 is connected with a crank pin 22 of a crank shaft 23, this crank shaft having shaft elements or trunnions 24 and 25which are rotatably supported in bearings 26 and 21, respectively. To the shaft element 25 is connected a power take-off sheave or other suitable driving element 28.

Referring to Figure 2, the cylinder body structure I3 supports an intake valve housing 29 and an exhaust valve housing 30. Withinthe housing 29 is slidably mounted a valve rod 3| to the upper end of which is connected an intake valve 32 which is adapted for seating engagement with a seat 33. Within the housing is slidably mounted an exhaust valve stem 34 which is provided with an exhaust valve 35 at its upper end, this valve being adapted for seating engagement with a seat 36.

A chamber 31 is provided in the valve housing 29, the .lower wall of the chamber being defined by the valve seat 33. Figure ,3 illustrates an inlet port 38 for admitting the pressure fluid to the chamber 31. In Figure 2, the chamber 31 has communication with the bore l4 through a passage 39, as when the valve 32 is lifted from its seat 33. Similarly, the valve housing 3ll-is provided with a, chamber 4|] having one wall thereof defined by the seat 36 and, the chamber is provided with an exhaust port 4|, see Figure 3. Communication between the exhaust :port 4| and the bore I4 is established through the medium .of a passage 42, as when the valve 35 is lifted from its seat 36.

According to Figure 2, the valve 32 is yieldingly held in engagement with its seat 33 by a compression spring 42, and a second compression assembly structure shown in Figures 5 through 8.

spring 43 is provided for yieldingly maintaining the valve 35 on its seat 36. A tappet-rod 45 is provided for actuating the stem 3! to lift the valve 32. A similar tappet-rod 46 is provided for actuating the stem 34 to lift its valve 35 off the seat 36. Between the upper end of the tappetrod 45 and the lower end of the valve stem 3| is interposed a lifting element 41, which element is pivotally connected at 48 with the gland structure 49 and at 59 with the upper end of cylinder structure 13 of the engine being mountthe tappet-rod 45. This arm is provided with a curved stem engaging contour 5| which engages the lower end of the valve stem 3|. In the same manner, a lifting arm 52 is pivotally connected at 53 with the gland structure 49 and at 54- with the upper end of the tappet-rod 46. Both tappet-rods 45 and 46 extend downwardly to the crank case II, and a cam 55 (see Figure 1) is mounted on the shaft element 25 for coaction with a roller 56 carried by the lower end of the tappet-rod 46 for lifting the latter. A compression spring 5! is housed in the crank case structure II for holding the roller 56 in engagement with the cam 55.

A cam housing 58 is attached to one end of the crank case II, which housing is provided with a bore 59 which slidably guides a connecting element 60 attached to the lower end of the tappet-rod 45. A threaded connection BI is provided between the tappet-rod 45 and the connecting element 60, which connection is made secure by a lock nut 62. Upon the connecting element 60 is mounted a flange 63 for supporting one end of a compression spring 64. other end of the spring 64 is arranged in engagement with a cap 65, the latter comprising a portion of the cam housing 58. Thus the tappetrod 45 is yieldingly biased in a downward direction.

The shaft element 24 is extended some distance beyond the bearing 26 to constitute a mount for a'shaft extension 66. This shaft extension is of tubular formation, the shaft element 24 extending inside-the extension 66 and fixedly related thereto by a key 61. A lifting cam 68 is mounted upon the extension 66 and keyed thereto'at 69. Upon extension 66 is also mounted a seating cam I0. The extension 66 is arranged coaxially with the shaft element 24, and the two cams 68 and I0 are arranged coaxially with the extension 66 and the shaft element 24. While the lifting cam 68 is fixedly related to the extension 66 and the shaft element 24, the seating cam 70 is mounted for longitudinal and rotational movement on and relatively to the shaft extension 66. Operation of the tappetrod 45 and in turn the intake valve 32 is controlled jointly by the two cams 68 and I0. The operating connection between the cams 68' and 10 'includes a lever or rocking member 1| which is pivotally connected at mid-point, as at 12, with the coupling element 60 at a point beneath the flange 63. One end of the lever 1| is arranged in engagement with a curved face I3 and between fingers I4 on an actuating body I5 which is guided for reciprocatory motion within a bore 16 in the cam housing 58. A roller 11 is carried by the body 15 for engagement with the cam 68.

The opposite end of the lever II is arranged in engagement with a curved face 18 on an actuating body 79 between fingers 80 thereon. This body is slidably guided in a bore 8| in the cam housing '58, and the body'is provided with a roller 82 which rides on the cam 10.

Inside the shaft extension 66 is slidably mount ed a body 83 through which a cross pin 84 extends. This. pin is arranged at right angles to the axis oftheshaft extension 66 and is provided with roller bearings 85 at its ends which are slidably contained in slots 86 in the shaft extension 66. Openings 81. are provided in the seating cam I0 for reception of the bearings 85,

and the cross pin 84 is restrained from accidental endwise movement by a retainer 88. As will be noted from reference to Figures 4, 8, and

The

4. 9, the slots 86 are of helical contour and of such extent as to impart of rotation to the seating cam 10 when the latter is moved sufliciently far to shift the cross pin 84 from one extremity of the slots to the opposite extremity thereof. Such rotational adjustment of the seating cam I0 changes the angular position of the latter with respect to the lifting cam 68.

Means for adjusting the body 83 to shift the seating cam I0 comprise a stem 89 on the body 83 and a flange 90 at one end of the stem. A coupling member 9| is slidably contained in the shaft extension 66 and comprises two sections 92 which are internally contoured to loosely receive the stem 89 and the flange 90 so as to provide a swivel connection between the body 83 and r the coupling member 9|. An adjusting screw 93 is provided with a flange 94 at its inner end corresponding to the flange 90, the flange 94 being loosely contained in a groove 95 in the member92, which groove corresponds to the groove 96 within which the flange 9,0 is contained. The screw '93 is loosely related to the coupling member 9| and is threaded through a bore 96 in a cover plate 91 which is bolted at v98 to the cam housing 58. Upon the screw 93' is threadedly mounted a lock, wheel 99 which lies adjacent the cover plate 91, and a hand wheel I00 is fixedly connected with the outer end of the screw 93, so that the lock wheel 99 is located between the hand wheel and the cover plate. It will thus be seen that the screw 93 may be rotated through the aid of the hand wheel I00, and that such rotation imparts longitudinal movement to the coupling member 9| relatively to the'shaft extension 66, since the screw 93 has a swivel connection with the coupling member 9|, as is also true of the body 83.

Means are provided for indicating the degree of retraction of the cam I0 through adjustment of the screw 93. Openings IOI are provided in the lock wheel 99 for selective reception of an indicator rod I02. This rod is provided with a flat-- tened face I03 upon which is provided a suitable scale I04. This rod is arranged in parallelism with the screw 93 and has one end arranged to abut the face I05 of the hand wheel I00 to the end that the scale I04 in its relation to the face I96 of the lock wheel 99 will indicate the retracted position of the cam 10 when the rod I02 is moved into end engagement with the hand wheel I00.

Figures 5 and 7 illustrate the lifting cam 68 and the seating cam I0 when viewed from the hand wheel end of the assembly, and clockwise rotation of the crank shaft is assumed, as indicated by an arrow I0I in association with the crank pin 22. While the cams 68 and I0 are of identical construction when viewed according to Figures 5 and 7, the seating cam I0 is of considerable axial length tornaintain operative engagement with the roller 82 in all positions of the seating cam.

Figures 7 and 8 show the relative relationship between the cams 68 and I0 in the fully retracted position of the screw 93. With the cams in the position shown, no lift is imparted to the intake valve 32. Each cam includes a low radius extent I08, ramps I09 at the ends of the low radius extent I08, which ramps continue into a high radius or dwell IIO. In the cam adjustment of Figure '7, the lifting cam roller 11 rises in increments equal to the fall of the seating cam roller 82 which results in a zero lift to the pivot I2 located intermediate the ends of the lever I I. Thus ma r n meni, iguie '5 illustrates the "relative positions 'of the cans 6'8 and!!! upon adjustment of the screw 93' to'place the cross pmea at the opposite ends of the slots 86'. In viewing Figures and 7, it will we noted that retraction of the screw 93 im clockwise rotation to the s'eating cam p s relat ly to the lifting cam 68. Similarly; when the screw-9'3 is advancedinwardly for shifting mistress 'pin 84 in'the slots 86, counter-clockwise 'r'otation is imparted to the seating cam 19 relatively to the lifting cam '68. While Figures 5 and '1 illustrate thecamSGB and 10 in their two extreme relative positions, it will be understood that the cams may be adjusted to any desired relative positions toattain necessary intake valve operation and control of the engine.

With the cams 58 and 10 in the position III of Figure-5, clockwise rotation of the crank shaft imparts a lift to the pivot 12, since the cam roller 82 is already on the high radius or dwell lid on the cam 10, and the cam roller 11 is riding the straight face II2 on the cam, 68. Accordingly,

continued clockwise rotation of the cam assembly brings the cam roller 11 upon the high radius or dwell extent I [0 on the cam 68 to impart full lift to the pivot 12 and a corresponding lift to the intake valve 32.

In Figure 5, position .I H of thecams 53 and 79 indicates the start of the lifting action, with position ll3'of the two cams illustrating the lift in its maximum degree, which lift is'represented by the relative positions of the pivot 12 with respect to-the line I It. As the cams 68 and H3 continue rotation in a clockwise direction, the cam rollers T! and 82 are brought to the relative relationship indicated in position H5, which completes the lifting operation and brings the intake valve 32 back to its closed position, the pivot 12 now beingbrouglit back to the-location corresponding to that of position I l l. The leading and following active faces on the cams 68 and 19 are such that either cam roller will ascend or descend in increments equal to the descending and ascending characteristics of the other cam roller.

Since the lifting cam 68 is fixedly related to the crank shaft of the engine for co-axial rotation therewith, the start of the lifting action of the intake valve 32 is invariable, the cutoff operation of the intake valve being determined through adjustment of the seating cam in relatively to the lifting cam 68. In the construction shown, the cutoff may be selected at any desired point within the limits of the slots 86, which slots are of such lengths as to provide necessary accommodation for adjustment of the seating cam. This arrangement provides a construction wherein the speed of the engine may be effectively controlled through the act of shutting off the working fiuid at any desired point within the operating cycle of the engine, the construction being devoid of objectionable stages or steps of cutoff. In other words, the cutoff points are infinite within the limits of the zero and maximum lifting positions of cam adjustment.

It will be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific construction or arrangement of parts shown, but that they may be widely modified within the invention defined by the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an engine of the type described: the-combination of a cylinder provided with an intake valve; a crank shaft having a tubular extension;

6 a mag cam and as said tubiiar 'extensien'; seating cam adjustably mounted on said tubular extension an operating connection between said lifting cam and said seating cam and the intake valve; said tubular extension being-provided with helical slots, across pin connected with said seating camand guided freely in said slots; an adjusting screw having a swivel connection with said cross pin for shifting the latter in said slots to adjust the seating earn relatively tothe lifting cam and vary the cutoff action of the intake v a hand wheel for turning said adjusting screw; a lock means threadedly connected with said adjusting screw; and an indicator coactive with said and wheel and said lock means to im dicate adjusted positions of the adjusting screw and corresponding positions'ofsaid seating cam.

2. In an engine of the type described: the cornblnation of a cylinder provided with an intake valve; a crank fshaf t having a tubular extension; a lifting cam fixed to said tubular extension; a seating cam adjustably mounted on said tubular extension; an operating connection between said lifting cam andsaid seating cam and the intake valve; said tubular extension being provided with helicalslots, a cross pin connected with said seatng cam and guided freely in said slots; an ad= justing screw having aswivel connection with said cross pin for shifting the latter in said siots to adjust the seating cam relatively to the lift=- ing cam and vary the cutoff action of the in take valve; a hand wheel for turning said adjusting screw; a lock means threadedly connected with said adjusting screw; and an indicator c0"- active with said hand when and said k means to indicate adjusted positions of the adjusting screw and correspondingpositions of said seatmg cam; said operating connection including a tappet, a pivoted lever on said tappet, and slidably guided cam rollers interposed between said lever andthe respective lifting cam and the-seat 111g cam.

3. The invention claimed in claim 2 wherein said cross pin is provided with bearings engaging the wall faces of said helical slots.

4. In an expander engine having a crank case, a crank shaft, a cylinder and an intake valve for said cylinder, means for opening and closing said intake valve including an axially movable tappet, means operatively connecting said tappet to said intake valve, a lever pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the end of said tappet remote from said intake valve, actuating bodies slidably carried by said crank case and engaging the end portions of said lever, cam rollers carried by said slidable actuating bodies, and cams for operating said actuating bodies by moving said lever and tappet to operate said intake valve.

5. In an expander engine having a crank case, a crank shaft, a cylinder and an intake valve for said cylinder, means for opening and closing said intake valve including an axially movable tappet, means operatively connecting said tappet to said intake valve, a lever pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the end of said tappet remote from said intake valve, actuating bodies slidably carried by said crank case and engaging the end portions of said lever, cam rollers carried by said slidable actuating bodies, a liftin cam fixed to said crank shaft, a seating cam rotatable with and axially and rotatably movable relative to said crank shaft and said lifting cam, and means for shifting said seating cam relative intake valve including an axially movable tappet,

means operatively connecting said tappet to said intake valve, a lever pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the end of said tappet remote from said intake valve, actuating bodies slidably carried by said crank case and engaging the end portions of said lever, cam rollers carried by said slidable actuating bodies, a tubular extension on said crank shaft, a, lifting cam fixed to said tubular extension, a seating cam rotatable with and shiftable axially and rotatably relative to the tubular extension, and means for shifting said seating cam relative to said tubular extension for varying the time closing of said inlet valve.

7. .In an expander engine having a crank case, a crank shaft, a cylinder and an intake Valve for said cylinder, means for opening and closing said intake valve including an axially movable tappet, means operatively connecting said tappet to said intake valve, a lever pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the end of said tappet remote from said intake valve, actuating bodies slidably carried by said crank case and engaging the end portions of said lever, cam rollersicarried by said slidable actuating bodies, a tubular extension on said crank shaft, a lifting cam fixed to said tubular extension, a seating cam rotatable with and shiftable axially and rotatably relative to the tubular extension, said tubular extension provided with helical slots therein, a pin fixed to said seating cam and engaging in said helical slots, and means connected to said pin for shifting the pin to move said seating cam axiall and rotatably relative to the tubular extension for varying the time closing of said inlet valve.

8. An expander engine as claimed in claim 7 wherein said pin-shiftin means comprises an adjusting screw and a flexible connection between said adjusting screw and said pin.

9. An expander engine as claimed in claim 7 wherein said pin-shifting means comprises an adjusting screw, a flexible connection between said adjusting screw and said pin, and locking means for locking said adjusting screw in adjusted positions.

10. An expander engine as claimed in claim 4 wherein said slidable actuating bodies have arcuate surfaces for contact with said lever, and

spring means for urging said lever into engagement with said arcuate surfaces.

11. An expander engine as claimed in claim 5 wherein said slidable'actuating bodies have arcuate surfaces for contact with said lever, and spring means for urging said lever into engagement with said arcuate surfaces and said cam rollers into engagement with said cams.

12. An expander engine as claimed in claim 7 wherein said slidable actuating bodies have arcuate surfaces for contact with said lever, and spring means for urging said lever into engagement with said arcuate surfaces.

HAROLD W. WHITING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

